Strategic Planning

Current Conditions

News & Announcements

Santa Cruz County provides an expansive set of services to local residents. Our first Annual Report highlights both the breadth of our work and new efforts to improve our community.

Join us Dec. 20 for the 20th annual homeless memorial, remembering the men and women who have passed away on the streets of Santa Cruz County during 2018. The annual event occurs every year around National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day.

Reminder! Property taxes were due Nov. 1 and are considered delinquent if received after Dec. 10. To look up bills or make payments online, visit the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website.

The Santa Cruz County Office for Economic Development is proud to debut a new website to help local business provide jobs and improve the local economy. Come visit us at www.sccvitality.org and see for yourself!

To address critical local needs, the County Board of Supervisors has placed Measure G, a half-cent sales tax increase, on the November ballot. Sales taxes within cities would be unaffected. Learn more

On Oct. 24, come celebrate the Grand Reopening of the Brookdale Lodge! Supervisor Bruce McPherson and the Office for Economic Development were instrumental in helping the new owner restore the historic lodge.

A report commissioned by the Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board shows the challenges faced by the local workforce as the County works to implement its Strategic Plan. Read the report here.

On June 26, the Board of Supervisors approved the 2018-19 County Budget and directed the County Administrative Officer to return Aug. 7 with a plan to address critical unmet needs throughout the community. For more on the Budget, go to www.sccbudget.com.

The County is seeking qualified bidders to build the Felton Library and Nature Park project, an indoor and outdoor education center serving the San Lorenzo Valley. Final bids are due July 26. Click here for project specifications.

Through Sept. 17, operators of existing short-term hosted rental businesses may apply for a license to comply with a new County ordinance. After that date, registrations in the unincorporated area will be limited.

Come out and play with us in the street for Friday Night Recess! Cooper Street in downtown Santa Cruz will be closed off for a FREE all-ages playground on Friday, July 6. Click for more information.

The County’s first-ever Strategic Plan is up for review by the Board of Supervisors June 12. Review the proposed plan, which is based on public input and will help guide future decision-making.

Interested in aiding a relative or generating income while helping alleviate the housing crisis? Our new toolkit will help homeowners check whether they’re eligible to build an accessory dwelling unit, and calculate how much it will cost.

Join us every third Thursday this summer for FREE movies in Heart of Soquel Park. The fun begins May 17 with the animated hit "Coco," and ends Oct. 18 with the blockbuster "Black Panther". Bring a blanket and a picnic!

In 2017, the County’s amazing employees responded to the opioid crisis and hepatitis A outbreak, reshaped how deputies in the field do their job, founded a Central Coast renewable energy agency, kept streets clear during storms and saved lives. Read and hear more about their accomplishments.

The 2018/19 Activity Pamphlet is now available online. Registration for summer camps, classes, Pool Jr. Lifeguards, senior trips, swim lessons and more begins March 26 at 9 a.m.

County Parks’ draft strategic plan is now available for review. If you care about parks, programs, fields, beach access and more, attend one of our upcoming March meetings by clicking the link for details.

Qualified homeowners interested in purchasing one of ten affordable housing units at the Aptos Village project are invited to attend upcoming bilingual workshops. Click here for more info.

With more than $2 million in grants available, the County and Youth Advisory Board are seeking bidders to address local youth homelessness. Letters of intent are due March 1.

A new report on the local tech economy, prepared by Beacon Economics, is now available for review. Download a copy at the Workforce Santa Cruz County website.

On Feb. 6, County Health Officer Dr. Arnold Leff declared an end to the local hepatitis A outbreak. For more about hepatitis A and the County’s efforts to combat the outbreak, click here.

County Public Health officials warn that flu activity is increasing, particularly with the H3N2 strain, which is associated with more severe illness and higher mortality. Get vaccinated today. Find vaccines at vaccinefinder.org.

The Planning Department Building Counter is now open at 7:30 a.m. for contractors picking up ready-to-issue permits that do not require zoning review. Permits needing zoning review must wait until regular hours, which begin at 8 a.m.

The County and city of Santa Cruz have filed litigation against 29 oil, gas and coal companies over the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise and increased fires, drought and precipitation. Read Complaint.

With winter’s onset and homelessness on the minds of many, the County Board has taken a number of steps to address homelessness in December alone. Read about them here.

The second installment of the 2017 property tax bill is due April, 10, 2018. Visit our website for a copy of your bill, to make online payments or other assistance. For an explanation of your bill, click here.

Know a trailblazing local woman? Nominate her for the Santa Cruz County Women’s Commission’s 2018 Trailblazer Awards. Online nomination forms are available through Dec. 8 by clicking here.

Do you lack adequate Internet broadband services at your home or business? Take our simple survey to help identify unserved or underserved areas so that we may share information with local broadband providers.

The County of Santa Cruz is inviting interested parties to respond to a Request for Qualifications for a 3.7-acre mixed-use commercial development opportunity in Live Oak near 17th Avenue and Capitola Road. Responses due Aug. 4. view PDF

The U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center is closed, and the deadline to apply was May 19. For further information, call SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service at (800) 659-2955.

The County has released a technical report for reuse of the Davenport Cemex site for public review, which includes current environmental, historic and infrastructure conditions. Visit our Cemex page to download a copy.

Every year, the County honors employees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the residents of Santa Cruz County. This year’s honorees recognize advancements in community-based policing, our 2016 presidential election team and work securing Davenport’s water future. Employee Recognition Awards 2016

The County is in the beginning stages of an environmental review of a proposed cannabis cultivation ordinance, and wants your feedback. Visit sccoplanning.com to learn more and make your voice heard!

Accessory Dwelling Units can help solve the County’s housing crisis. The County has set up a confidential survey for owners and builders to give us candid feedback and help set up a program encouraging ADUs. Responses are due by March 14.

With more than 180 damage incidents and $80 million in needed repairs to local roads, the Department of Public Works has created an interactive map of storm damage throughout Santa Cruz County. Click here to view (use desktop computer).

Due to an unstable road bed, Soquel-San Jose Road is closed indefinitely between Amaya Ridge Road and Olsen Road. No motorists should use the roadway. For more information on local road closures, go to http://www.sccroadclosure.org/.

Supervisor John Leopold has been unanimously elected to lead the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in 2017. Leopold succeeds Supervisor Bruce McPherson, who served in 2016.

The 2010 closure of the Davenport Cement Plant impacted the Davenport community and the local economy.Click here to learn more about future plans for the site.

The Monterey Peninsula Foundation recently donated $250,000 toward LEO’s Haven, an inclusive playground at Chanticleer Park. The County will match community donations up to the same amount. Go here for more info.

For 27 years of leadership and excellence, County Administrative Officer Susan Mauriello was recently given the Distinguished Service Award by the County Administrative Officers Association of California. Click here for more.

The County’s Human Services Department serves one out of every three Santa Cruz County residents. Watch a video of their annual report in English and Spanish.

The County of Santa Cruz is pleased to announce it has placed 8th in a national competition for digital-friendly counties held by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties. Click here for more info.

Following a week of public hearings, on June 28 the County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the 2016-17 Budget, supporting critical functions such as public safety and safety net services while demonstrating sound fiscal policy. For more on the Budget, click here.

On Aug. 28, bring the family and the family dog to Simpkins Family Swim Center for food, craft beer and wine, music, activities and a dog-gone good time at the 2nd annual Parks & Rex “Pool Party” FUNdraiser! Proceeds benefit local children and shelter animals. For tickets and more information, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1137043093018659.

The County of Santa Cruz is collaborating with the City of Salinas and others in seeking a consultant to help prepare a study of and action plan for farmworker housing in the Salinas Valley and Pajaro Valley. Click here for info on the request for proposals.

On June 29, the County Board of Supervisors voted to place a ½-cent sales tax on the November ballot to support local road and highway improvements, the Sanctuary Scenic Trail, Metro bus service, wildlife crossings and more. For more information on the proposal, visit the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.

On June 12, County parks officials and others, including the Potts family, gathered at Simpkins Family Swim Center to unveil the plans and fundraising effort for the inclusive playground LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Avenue Park. To learn more or make a donation, go to santacruzplaygroundproject.

On June 14, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pursue a framework agreement with PG&E on the proposed removal of 300 trees meant to address pipeline safety. Click here to read more about the proposal.

Good news! The County’s Health Services Agency has secured more than $3 million in health care grants to support a range of services for Santa Cruz County residents. Click here to read more..

On Tuesday, May 10, the Santa Cruz County Board took historic steps to begin the process of licensing medical cannabis suppliers within County jurisdiction.Click here for more info.

Santa Cruz County’s 2016-17 Proposed Budget has been released, and will be considered by the Board of Supervisors during budget hearings scheduled for June 20-28. Click here for a copy.

On Wednesday, April 27, the County of Santa Cruz and its partners celebrated the groundbreaking of a 700-square-foot restroom and concessions building at Polo Grounds County Park. The long-sought project fulfills the original vision of Polo Grounds, one of the County’s most heavily used and multi-faceted parks. Event Info.

Registration for 2016-2017 activities is now open through the Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services. Go to www.scparks.com .

May 1-7 is Wildfire Preparedness Week. Always maintain defensible space around your property and make sure your family is prepared for emergencies. For more information, visit the County’s Office of Emergency Services.

In partnership with the Sempervirens Fund, the County of Santa Cruz has begun the process of recruiting a consultant to work in conjunction with the partners, the community and ownership on a reuse plan for the decommissioned Davenport cement plant. The County expects to have the consultant in place in June. Press Release.

On Tuesday, April 5, the County opened the last module at Buena Vista Landfill, signaling the beginning of the end for local solid waste operations as we move toward a “Zero Waste” future. Visit our Facebook for more info.

Electronic parking kiosks are now available for visitors to the main County Governmental Building and County Courthouse. Up to two hours are still free, and click here for instructions if you plan to stay longer.

Our Spring 2016 County Newsletter is out, with information on March storms, a new youth center, Employee Recognition Awards and more. Click here to get a copy.

With a generous grant from the Sempervirens Fund, the County is spearheading a $425,000 study on the reuse of the Davenport cement plant, including a possible visitors center. Click here for more information.

On Feb. 9, the County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the Housing Element, a state-required plan to address the housing needs of the community and help address the housing crisis. Click here for a press release or go to sccoplanning.com/ for more information.

The Justice Department awarded $1 million to fund Project Thrive, a new county partnership with the Youth Violence Prevention Task Force that will deploy outreach workers to help break the cycle of youth violence. Click here for more information.

Attention Santa Cruz County residents! Head out to one of your amazing Santa Cruz County Parks and snap a photo - send it in for a chance to win!click SC Parks Photo Contest for details:

West Nile virus has been detected in mosquito and bird samples collected on the West Side of Santa Cruz. Please help minimize the spread of the disease by making sure your property is free of standing water using this helpful checklist. For more, go to www.santacruzcounty.us/mvc.html.